Nudist Spirituality?

Gay Naturists International started 23 years ago with fewer than 24 people. Today the total membership is approximately 1,300. What is the purpose of the organization? To offer gay men the opportunity to participate in nudist cruises and to visit nudist resorts. In describing these nudist activities, Bob Sandla Jr., the president of the organization, said: “There is a spirituality to [naturism]. You’re relating to your peers in a way that’s much more honest and vulnerable” (Green and Campo-Flores, 2007).

A spirituality to nudism? Such comments are typical of our sin-sick society that is constantly attempting to justify sinful behavior by somehow associating it with goodness or spirituality. The truth of the matter is, there is absolutely nothing spiritual about grotesque lasciviousness. The idea that such could be remotely associated with spirituality runs counter to everything the Bible teaches about the subject.

The apostle Paul drew a stark contrast between the sinful works of the flesh and commendable fruit of the Spirit. In fact, he wrote: “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another” (Galatians 5:16-17). Paul then enumerated several works of the flesh that God condemns as sinful and destructive. He said: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness...drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand...that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21, emp. added). Nudist vacationing falls into the categories of fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, and revelries, which would exclude all impenitent practitioners from heaven. The outrageous claim that spirituality can be achieved by engaging in such sinful practices is little more than an attempt to “call evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20).

True spirituality can only be achieved when a person chooses to crucify “the flesh with its passions and desires” and foster the fruit of the Spirit which is “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-24).

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